Debenham, Suffolk, England - One-Place Study

Including Aspall, Kenton, Mickfield & Winston

The Pubs

Overview

The Government of the 1820s and 1830s were keen to promote beer drinking
instead of spirits, especially gin. Widespread drunkenness through gin
consumption was believed to be detrimental to the working class, and had led to
the rise of the Temperance Society which campaigned for closure of the 'gin
shops'. The former drink of the working man: beer, was taxed which meant the
cost of beer could be prohibitive to the working classes despite that fact that
beer was safer to drink than water. Water at this time was untreated and
dangerous to drink.

The Beerhouse Act (1 Will. IV, c.64 1830) was introduced by the Duke of
Wellington's Tory government. It abolished the beer tax, extended the opening
hours of licensed public houses, taverns and alehouses to 18 hours a day.
Previously it was 15 hours. These were subject to the control of the local
justices, and licensing was required.

The Act also introduced the Beerhouse. Premises which could sell only beer.
The opening hours could be from 4am to 10pm. For a small fee of 2 guineas
payable to the local excise officer, anyone could brew and sell beer. The excise
licence would state whether the beer could be drunk on or off the premises.
Supervision of these establishments by local justices was severely curtailed
which led to many local complaints by magistrates and local gentry keen to
control the working classes in their area.

Within a few months over 24000 beerhouse excise licenses were granted. The
beerhouses provided not only beer, but food, games and some even lodging.
Beerhouses were also known by the name ''small beer' or 'Tom and Jerry' shops.
In villages and towns many shopkeepers opened their own beerhouse and sold beer
alongside their shop wares. Beer would be brewed on the premises or purchased
from brewers.

Many beerhouses became the haunt of criminals, prostitutes and some even
became brothels. Concern over law and order resulted in the excise fee being
raised to 3 guineas and property qualifications introduced. But it was not until
1869 that a change in the law brought licensing of the beerhouses back under the
control of the local justices. Many then closed, or changed to fully licensed
public houses.

Eight Bells Inn

Address: Debenham, Stowmarket, Suffolk.
Status: Demolished.

The Eight Bells Inn used to be on the Green facing the row of houses to the left of Foresters Hall. These do not exist any more. The Eight Bells Inn was burnt down as a result of a fire in Herbert Goodings Paint Shop which was next door to it, in 1911. There is a photo of the Pub and Paint Shop after the fire in "A Short History of Debenham" by Pauline Heywood - See Shop for more details.